Abstract

West Africa has a rich and varied agricultural biodiversity that plays a vital role in the food security and nutrition of its population. Tubers, roots, rhizomes, starchy fruits, cereals, legumes and small game, when used in varied meals can satisfy people's daily energy, protein and micronutrient requirements. However, the general tendency today is to neglect or under-utilize traditional food crops.

This workshop, which will take place in Ouagadougou, 5-6 September 2007, is the fruit of a worldwide awareness of the need for agriculture and health sectors to elaborate a common policy for improving nutrition and health in the countries that make up the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS): Bénin, Burkina Faso, Cap Vert, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sénégal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

The workshop aims to shed light on the link between dietary change and the growing rate of deficiencies and chronic diseases of dietary origin; demonstrate the potential role of local and traditional foods in the prevention of deficiencies and chronic illnesses; and endeavor to convince the participants - political decision-makers from the agricultural, health and education sectors, representatives of the food industry - of the need to reevaluate existing food and nutrition policies.

Recipient Institution(s)